Cold weather and dogs

jakejacobsen

My dog has been a wonderful workout partner this past fall. I admit I have been a bad dog owner never taking my high energy dog for walks the first 2 years we had him. :yawn: Partly cause I was so out of shape and just plane lazzy. This past fall with my weight loss and more active life style we have been going for great walks/runs. He loves it, yesterday he even went and got his leash and brought it to me. My problum is he is a short haired dog from the south and we live in WI and its geting cold. When he goes out to do his business he is shivering and shaking from the cold. I want to take him out for walks and runs with me but I don't want him to be to cold, he shivers on the walks but loves them. I have never been one to dress my dog, but curious what others think. Should I get him a coat? boots for the salt he will hate the boots or is wiping his feet when we get home enough? I just hate leaving him home as he sits in the window :brokenheart: and whines when I leave him.

deenaspell

Awww! Get him a sweater! There are some cute Christmas ones at Target right now for only $2.50! If he's weird about having clothes on (my dog will stand stiff and not move), make sure you act really happy about his clothes. It makes a difference in their attitude for some reason, ha ha! My dog will bounce around in anything as long as he doesn't feel made fun of! Yes, my dog is weirdly human.

applebobbrush

Definitely keep taking him. Get him a sweater and some doggie boots. Just a heads up it takes a bit to get them used to the boots. Try it a few minutes a day and increase the time and soon enough they will love it. Another alternative, I know people will think I'm crazy, is if you have a treadmill, put him on the treadmill. Our dogs love our treadmill, when I go into the basement they always jump on the treadmill and start wagging their tails .

brandimacleod

I have boxers and they love their sweaters. About the only time they actually sit still is when I am putting the sweaters on. I have quite a collection now for them. But it keeps them on the road with me working out in the cold.

Elzecat

I think it's great that you are including the dog in your exercise--my dog does not socialize well with other dogs so I do not bring her on my runs at this point...I wish I could. Honestly, don't be embarassed to go to the pet store and get your dog a little sweater or jacket for the cold...especially if he clearly enjoys the exercise (bringing the leash to you is a cool thing! I wish my dog would do that!)

I found a link on tips for dogs and cold weather:

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_ColdWeather.php

Elzecat

also...I've heard that some people use kid's socks for their dogs' paws instead of booties...I haven't tried this yet but it got to 20 below last February here in Colorado, so I might try it...

jennmoore3

What breed is he? Maybe, just maybe he is like us... cold at first then when he gets going he gets warmed up. I guess try a short around the block walk and see. MY around the block is .8 of a mile. I clocked it once. We live in the country and the blocks are nothing like city blocks. I have Labs and to get them to wear clothes let alone find some to fit them is a challenge. They want to go shivering and all. Yesterday I opened the truck door to go to the lumber yard and they both pushed me out of the way and jumped in. They sat side by side facing the passenger window with noses out the window. I can only crack the window enough for their noses to fit or they will jump right out. Dogs are so fun all around. my trainer we have for the kids and dogs (kids show the dogs in 4-H) says that they will like the treadmill. never done it but I will try soon.